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Parents Advocate League Update It’s official: all the new Capo school district trustees were sworn in prior to the board meeting (you can view some pics at the Beyond the Blackboard, http://capistranoinsider.typepad.com/beyond_the_blackboard). The new trustees will have a big job on their shoulders as CUSD waits to find out if they will have to cut $30 million or more from the 2009-2010 budget as expected. The district will know more in January. The board meeting had a very different atmosphere. Attention to detail seemed to be the theme of the night. It is clear the new trustees are not going to be the board of the past. The new trustees had many questions for several agenda items and asked to move items to next month's board meeting when the district staff could not provide answers. It is also important to note that the board did not vote the same on every agenda item as was predicted during the election. Many parents and teachers who attended the meeting felt hopeful for the future of CUSD. Item 17: Purchase Orders Approved Trustee Sue Palazzo asked about the $1,348,516.88 payment to US Bank. The district staff explained it was the yearly COP payment on the district office. Item 23: A.V. Property Sale Trustee Mike Winsten had concerns that the buyers might not be able to close escrow in time and might hold up other potential buyers. Mr. Lebs explained it is 90 percent certain escrow will close by June 30. The district staff and the attorney for the district regarding the contract were asked if the district could back out for other buyers and if the current buyers could back out at any time. The attorney stated there were fees charged to the buyers if they backed out. Other details could not be answered by the district staff, so this item was tabled until the January board meeting for more information. Item 24: Consulting Firm for Cell Tower Sites The district is considering hiring a cell tower consultant to look for cell site locations on district property that can generate income from cell companies (approximately $2,500 per month per site). Two people spoke against this, including Cathy Schlicht, because of the high cost for consulting fees and the potential danger to children. This item was tabled until the January board meeting for more research and information. My husband Michael has done cell-site land acquisition and government zoning for hundreds of projects for several years. He believes cell sites (as long as they follow the FCC regulations) at some district locations would be a great way for CUSD to generate revenue as many other school districts do. You can find more information regarding exposure to cell sites at "In the case of cellular and PCS cell site transmitters, the FCC’s RF exposure guidelines recommend a maximum permissible exposure level to the general public of approximately 580 microwatts per square centimeter. This limit is many times greater than RF levels typically found near the base of cellular or PCS cell site towers or in the vicinity of other, lower-powered cell site transmitters." – The FCC Regulation on cell site towers. Item 40: Approval for First Budget Interim Report This was approved 7-0. The trustees took out the language that would allow cuts to the TLC program positions at the five school sites that have TLC and saved that program. Item 48: Booster Club Revision This was the first reading and not up for a vote until the January board meeting. Supt. Carter wants the community to understand this policy revision prior to the vote in January. It implies the control of the Booster Club presidents is limited. Please review Agenda Item 48 for more details Item 52: High School Graduation Requirements This was approved 7-0 and requires reading skills development and reading assessments for 9th grade students in the district. Item 53: Trustee Stipends This item was pulled at the start of the board meeting. It was to consider the reinstatement for the trustees' monthly stipends to $750 from the current $325. The stipend was changed to $325 toward the end of the last school year. Item 54: Citizen Request A citizen asked the board to consider ending CUSD's association with the Education Alliance. The Education Alliance was started by former Supt. Fleming and is a group of OC school districts that pool money to fight special needs litigation. Irvine School District, among others, does not participate in the Education Alliance. The next board meeting will be January 12, 2009, at 7pm. Please review the following articles: Capo trustees approve cost-cutting budget, CUSD trustees select officers for 2009, and Beyond the Blackboard |
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